Hitting your head again
 

So I was proposed this question by a family member today. What happens if you hit your head again? Hmm I dont know. Ive had 5 concussions already and this one has totally jacked me up for 6 months now and counting and with no end in the near future in sight it seems. Im assuming if I hit it before I fully recover im going to be in a bad way.

But say a year from now im hopefully fully recovered. What happens if I hit it again or get wiplash or something. Is it going to be worse? Im told by my neurologist that its like a person allergic to bees. It gets worse each time until theres a point that one time will be it. Was kind of a weird analogy so I figured id ask some of you, who I believe actually are experts since youve either have had or are having issues from it.

Reason the question was brought up was because of all the physical stuff I was doing before the incident. Figured Id see your all thoughts, and see if its time to drop my tough guy attitude and look out for me. If so, my life is going to have to change dramatically if and when I hopefully fully recover. Thanks again.

You should drop the tough guy persona. It is likely that you have become very sensitive to head impacts. You may regain some tolerance for a head impact but the risk is not worth it. You will have enough risk without taking on obvious risks. Your neuro was correct.

Besides, you have responsibilities now.

I think it's going to be worse if you hit it again. I am at the point now where even minor bumps cause symptoms to get extra bad for a few days. I am not fully recovered from the concussion that I got almost 6 months ago.

Don't be a tough guy. It won't help you recover any faster or make your life any easier. My personality has changed with the concussion, and although I hated it at first, I'm learning to appreciate it. I simply couldn't be the person I was before any longer.

You will figure out what works for you. Take care.

Ok thank you all for the responses. I just wanted to make sure. Thats a big fear of mine now, especially since I still get dizzy. Its weird because Ill see what I call a flash of lightning and I quickly see black and then im back to normal but im a little uncoordinated. It actually just started about a week ago. Not really sure whats causing it, but ive had a few close encounters where Ive almost smacked my head into a wall because of it. Luckily the one time it did drop me I fell on to the bed. Phew.

Im just trying to get my stuff squared away. At one point im hoping ill fully recover and be able to go back to my work. Thing is, I work in a very compromising place where you can easily bump your head all the time. Before this, Ive hit my head on a dump body getting out of a truck a bunch of times, even been hit by some rocks getting kicked up by machines, or branches of trees when cutting or trimming them. Im just trying to figure out how to work around all of that stuff when the time comes.

One other thing, anyone have trouble bending over? Bending over and then straightening back up just brings on such a headrush and headache and dizzyness like you wouldnt believe. I see that "flash of lightening" almost instantly when it happens. Luckily though it doesnt always bring that split second blackout though. I just find it odd. I suppose half my issue could be that I havent told the Dr everything. Its not that im purposely not telling him, its just that I forget to tell him as the appts feel so rushed. I also think im downplaying the severity of it as well, hence the tough guy attitude.

I have learned that instead of bending over, I squat to reach down. At work, you could wear a hard hat or even a simple helmet. There are a wide variety of protective head gear, even cowboy hats and such. Check out http://www.crasche.com/

Google 'protective head gear' It might be good for you to get a crasche type of hat or such as a regular wear item.

Thank you.

While im here, does anyone else get really bothered by the sun (thats an obvious) but also bothered by the heat? Its been 80 degrees here and usually im perfectly fine in the heat and do great in it. I cant tolerate it, I feel as though it drains me completely and causes my head to throb a lot more.

Yes! I am drenched in sweat after a few minutes outside, and it's only 80 degrees here. I don't know how I'm going to survive summer.

I used to work outside in 100+ degree weather with high humidity, so it bothers me that I can barely handle spring right now. I'm hoping this will go away over time. For now, I just take lots of breaks and drink tons of water.

Yup same with me. Its now 72 out and breezy. I got all windows and blinds closed and central air on. Im melting still. Not sure what causes this but man its miserable.

I had a severe concussion over a year ago and have cognitive problems, possible seizures so please be very careful, I was actually rear ended twice one right after the other throwing my head forward both times and hit my head on the steering wheel, or so I was told, I have no memory of it.

Please be careful, ER Dr told me not to get another concussion (try not to!) as each one can make things even worse.

Yes, the heat/sun bothers me a lot, was out walking my dog yesterday and it wasn't that hot but that darn sun made me nearly pass out, headache and felt so weak.

Take care.

Yup exactly how I felt in the sun. Took the dog and baby for a walk. It was only about a 10-15 minute walk but I was DRAINED by it. Ill have to bring this up to the dr if I can remember. Darn cognitive issues.

Ugh. Got extremely dizzy last night and fell into a wall and bumped the back of my head on a hanging picture frame. Instantly had to vomit. I feel horrible today. Tons of head pressure foggyness and irritability. Cognitive therapy should be fun this afternoon. :(

Oh no... hope you can rest today..

Kev,
If I have had previous concussions they were as a kid, and yes I think I had but do not know how many and there is nobody to ask. But Jan 2013 I hit my forehead on the bathroom sink, March 2013 I passed out and bumped the back of my head when I fell and just this last April I fell down the steps and hit my head three times on the way down.

I was almost better by the end of last summer, now I am back where I started from again and moving much slower toward getting better. I have noticed I forget things more now. Had an incident where I forgot my PIN code for my bank card and thought there was a problem. Made the bank change my code and whe n I got home my husband said I had thenumbers in the wrong order. I had my self in a tizzy over nothing. My balance is bad again and my personality is changing among other things.

So yes each time adds progressively new things and keep in mind those were mild, a hard hit could cause more severe damage.

Yup, still paying for that light bump from the other day. Big time. I had therapy yesterday and informed her of it, and she seemed extremely concerned. Therapy was a wash yesterday as well, as my head was pounding not to long into it. She ended it pretty early because of the pain I was in. Ive mostly just been sitting on the couch the past few days, because Im still dizzy and afraid of falling again.

Ugh, hope your symptoms clear quickly! Hitting my head is probably my number one fear. The thought of everything getting worse is terrifying.

Rest and be careful!

Jace

Feel Better Kev!

Thank you all. My symptoms have returned back to their previous state luckily. Maybe slightly worse but not as bad as the past few days.

Ive been extremely careful now because I keep just randomly losing my balance for no reason at all. Also, my darn hands keep getting pins n needles and going partly numb. Ugh

Yay happy for you.

Well that was short lived. Fell twice today. First time I was lucky enough to land on my butt in the living room. Not so lucky the second time. Fell and hit the bathroom wall. I definately "rocked" myself on that one. I think im going to just stay in bed for the next few days.

Might be time to call the doc and let them know of these symptoms. You may need to be checked out. Hugs.